The defeat of the cholas

By Halaliye Karunathilake
Edited and translated by Niluka De Silva
Illustrated by Saman Kalubowila

~This article is part of a continuing series on the ‘Mahavamsa,’ the recorded chronicle of Sri Lankan history~

1. With the intention of attacking on two fronts at the same time, the Sinhala troops marched separately. They were to join after the attack. But Prince Kulasekera sensed this and he wanted to stop the two battalions from joining. He organized a huge army and marched the entire army to fight. This battle was fought in a place, ten miles to the south of the city of Madhura. The exact place was named 'Raangiyam.'

2. Prince Kulasekera's hopes were shattered, as the Sinhala troops were quick to join. They besieged the city and began to attack. Kulasekera's forces retaliated. The Sinhala troops fought bravely. Commanders Gokanna, Deva and Loka succeeded in attacking the main entrance and gaining entrance to the city. As the soldiers on guard were very clever, a serious battle followed. Fighting went on for a long time, causing heavy casualties.

3. "I shall not go through that entrance. Let me take another route," thought the Commander Keshadhatu. He took his soldiers and marched towards the southern gate and began to attack left and right. This happened to be a battle fought by very clever warriors. All were equally clever. Really speaking, that proved to be one of the most serious battles fought so far. Finally, Kulasekera's forces were defeated. As all his arms and ammunition were ruined, his troops found it difficult to continue the fight.

4. Prince Kulasekera fled to save his life. Lankapura and Jagath Vijaya conquered the city of Raangiyam. While fleeing, Kulasekera entered the fortress of a loyal chief. This fortress was built on a hill. The Sinhala army succeeded in gaining a lot of valuables from the city of Raangiyam. They took even the elephants and horses, that belonged to Prince Kulasekera. All that was presented to Prince Veerapandya and this prince was made to ascend the throne and occupy the palace in Madhura.

5. The chiefs of Pandya country accepted him as their king and even went to the extent of having a coronation ceremony. Commander Lankapura was invited to live in this city. That of course was mainly for the security of the king. The commander accepted the invitation. Prince Veerapandya then summoned the provincial leaders who supported him. They were given various positions.

6. Those who did not cooperate were threatened and their powers were curtailed. Some leaders were stripped of all their powers. Meanwhile, Prince Kulasekera was busy reorganizing his troops. He invaded Pudukkottai area and started breaking down the security points, erected by the Sinhala army. This angered Commander Lankapura. He went with his army to fight. But the battle here was going to be tough, as the Chola soldiers too had come to support Kulasekera.

7. The Sinhala soldiers fought bravely. Most of the Chola soldiers died in the fighting and the rest fled. It is then that King Parakramabahu sent a special message to Lankapura. It was to arrange another consecration ceremony for King Veerapandya and that was to be inside one of their shrines and in the midst of other leaders. Everything that was required for the consecration was sent by King Parakramabahu.

8. Commander Lankapura acceded to the request of King Parakramabahu and things were done exactly as he wished. Meanwhile, Prince Kulasekera began to get organized again. He, along with his army, came down the hill. He attacked two provincial leaders who had supported the Sinhala army and defeated them.